Introduction

This guide will explain the general rules regarding the art assets used within the GUI editor. What can be done, in what format and how.

Overview

There are two main assets that you will be using for your GUI; the first being .png and the second will be .jpg images. These both act to give the GUI a visual style and content. Not only will they visually define how the GUI will look (Windows, dialog boxs, but they will add the content (splashscreens, radars, etc...). Both image types have their own use which is explained below; however, you can also call up videos within the GUI, which are explained below.

File Location

All your files will be found in the ~/client/ui/ folder. Your GUI profiles will point to these files there. You can make a ~/client/ui/MyGui/ folder to hold all your GUI assets if you wish, just as long as your point to these in your profiles.

Asset Types

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  PNG

  
  

.png type images are mainly used to provide an alpha transparent image that will act to create windows, menus and user interfaces. This means that if you wanted to make a radar or crosshair for your game, you would use a PNG image with saved alpha. You will find that the images used to create your GUI, in the example games provided with the SDK, are in the PNG format.

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  JPEG

  
  

.jpg images are used to provide content to your GUI; typically this is seen to be through the splashscreens and background elements that don't require interaction. It's a good idea to avoid overcompressing images which can cause distortions.

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  Theora Videos

  
  

You will need to export your video into the Theora Video codec. More information on this in the GUI Videos section. You will need to have Torque 1.4 or higher to allow Theora Video.

Extra Info

It might be a good idea to also visit the Audio section of TDN if you plan on adding GUI button sounds.